Evaluation of the analgesic efficacy of floctafenine - A meta-analysis

Floctafenine is a peripherally-acting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) of the quinoline class, characterized by good clinical tolerance but somewhat limited data regarding analgesic efficacy. A review was made of all published controlled clinical trials of floctafenine, and the results of similar studies were combined using meta-analysis. From an overall total of 34 floctafenine trials, the results of 5 placebo-controlled studies, 4 comparing floctafenine with ASA, and 4 with codeine derivatives were able to be combined for purposes of this meta-analysis. In these studies, floctafenine provided good to excellent analgesia in 60-70% of patients with acute dental or postoperative pain, and in 30% of patients with severe chronic pain. Floctafenine was significantly more effective than placebo, as effective as ASA, and equally or more effective than codeine derivatives at the tested dosages.